Gaming Blog Network

Now that Jack Thompson is due to lose his legal status in 30 days, the gaming industry can hopefully return to doing what it does best: providing people with a suitable means of entertainment that does its best to please the masses.

Of course, while some are pleased to see Jack Thompson ride off slowly into the sunset; others believe that his even having had the opportunity to ride is due to the fault of the gaming press. One person, Doug Lowenstein, the former president of the ESA, pens a letter here blaming the gaming media for giving Thompson a soapbox to air his rants.

I strongly disagree with Lownstein on this point; I argue that if it were not for the gaming media debunking his claims, Thompson would have been allowed more leverage to state his opinions on gaming. If anything; I am wondering why Lowenstein refused to challenge Thompson when he had the chance.

Oh well, now Lowestein is now lobbying hedge fund companies. I sincerely hope that he shows more action there than in gaming; perhaps he should leave gaming to the people that can handle it.

The headline essentially speaks for itself; the anti-video game crusader has finally seen defeat at the hands of the gaming public.

Gaming sites left and right are reporting on this event, from Joystiq, to Kotaku and even G4. Destructoid also mentions that Thompson’s response to news of his disbarment was ‘go to hell.’

If perchance he should end up there, I am sure that no one in the gaming community would miss him.

Gamepolitics has legal analysis of Thompson’s defeat here, and G4 has a hilarious look at what would happen if his nightmares prove reality. It can be seen below:

All in all, it’s a great day to be a gamer!

Here is a nice piece on MSN.com about how games can help in making better citizens. It is an excellent read and it can be found here.

Now that Spore is out, gamers everywhere are having the opportunity to try their hand at creating species to run amok in the world. Though Will Wright’s games are not my cup of tea, I greatly appreciate what he is doing to advance gaming by focusing on a genre that centers on ingenuity rather than destruction.

However, while I and other gamers may applaud Wright’s direction, others are against his plans; this article highlights how people disagree with the game because it promotes evolution rather than creationism.

Personally, I think that Spore is just a game, and parents can actually use it to teach kids about the wonders of science. Sadly, it seems easier for people to locate problems in a new idea rather than use it for solutions.

Speaking of problems, I am very disappointed in the new game out that promotes the shooting of Muslims. In reading the main piece and Gamepolitics’s analysis of it, I have to say that for the first time, I am going to side with the game’s detractors. I simply fail to see the redeeming value of this product, and though there is some humor in it, there are too many individuals who will get the wrong idea, especially in this post 9/11 world.

On the subject of laws, I really hope that this video game law in California is proven unconstitutional. If only our elected leaders spent more time on worthwhile issues, like ending this war in Iraq.

Video games are continuing to make inroads in our society and popular culture. In fact, they are even making inroads into the political process, if the video in this article below any indication.

Along with this piece of news, I would also like to recognize two individuals who dedicate their lives to improving American values in differnt ways. One solider who made the ultimate sacrifice, and a Congressman who is working to improve the public good. Interestingly, both of these people are gamers; in fact, the Congressman is a proud gamer. This is prove that not all gamers are insane ingrates.

I am writing this post as I am watching Sarah Palin speak at the Republican National Convention. I have to admit, though I disagree with her policies, (all of them), I have to admit that she comported herself well on stage, supplying some decent stage presence and showing candor in praising her family and her constituents for their efforts.

Of course, Sarah didn’t earn her nickname ‘Barracuda’ for nothing, as she wasted no time in attacking Obama and the Democrats as being ‘part of the Washington elite.’

Interestingly, little has been figured out on Sarah’s positions on media issues; all that we know about her is that she is very socially conservative. Apparently, that extends to all media, including books, if this article is any indication.

The fact that Sarah even TRIED to ban books is scary; it almost reminds me of the book Farenheit 451, or to a lesser degree, the ten-cent plague, a book that I have read and reviewed earlier in my blog.

Interestingly, David Jaffe seems to agree with my distrust of Palin, as he has released a video that can be viewed here that mentions her opinion. Gamepolitics’s analysis can be read here. Jaffe is known to speak his mind, so he may say a few things that are a bit off the wall. I personally think that it’s funny.

Of course, Palin is not the only one against emergent media, the Thailand government has made it clear that they disliked the gaming medium, ever since that story broke about that young male who claims that he imitated Grand Theft Auto. The report can be found here; frankly, Thailand has bigger problems than dealing with games, but the fact that they choose to focus on them shows how out of touch they are with their country.

Speaking of Grand Theft Auto, it has actually found its way to make some positive news for a change. Destructoid has the report here; based on what is said, it shows that all games can have their good applications. I know that and you know it, now if only everyone else would see it.